Above Ground Pool Questions

nickels · #1 Apr 14, 2006, 06:19 AM

I am about to purchase an 18' Above Ground Pool. Part of the deal was that I go to the sellers house to dissassemble and remove the pool (it will be drained). Is this something that can easily be done by two-three people with average skills. This means I have done some home improvement stuff like installing sinks and helping to finish a basement, but I've never dissassembled a pool before! Any idea how long this might take us???

Second, I may need to store the pool for a few months while I get my yard ready for installation. Do I need to fully dry the liner for storage, or keep it damp with wet towels or other techniques? I am seeing conflicting info on this from various sites.

Lastly, if there is anything else that I should know before starting this task?

Thanks for any help!

fredg · Apr 14, 2006, 06:37 AM

Hi, Nickels,
As one experienced with above ground swimming pools, maybe I can help. I have a 15 x 30 above ground in my back yard, bought new and used it for about 17 yrs.....no longer use it.
I still have all the manuals, booklets, and installation instructions, and will run an ad soon to try getting someone to take it for free, if they tear it down and move it themselves.
First, two people can do it, but don't know exactly how long it will take. IF the screws, nuts and bolts are not rusted, shouldn't take but maybe a full day.
Next, IF the pool liner, (the liner that holds the water), is over 10 yrs old, you may have to buy a new liner. Mine was guaranteed for 10 yrs, and does have a few holes in the bottom, that I repaired with underwater glue and pieces of plastic liner.
It doesn't matter if you store the liner dry or wet. When a new one is shipped, it will be dry, and might have been stored in a warehouse for quite some time, before shipping.
Then, when you start to put it up, borrow an engineers tripod, and a "level", which you can use to level your ground. Should not be more than 1/4" difference in level all across the pool bottom......with ABSOLUTELY no rocks underneath the pool.
Best of luck, and ask the person who owns it if they still have the manuals and booklets.
My wife and I installed the pool ourselves, many years ago. Took more time to grade the ground, fill in with sand, rake out all the rock, than it did to actually put up the pool with the deck.

nickels · Apr 14, 2006, 07:11 AM

Thanks for the quick reply. The person told me that the liner was just replaced last year, so it is new. The pool itself looks to be in fine shape from the pictures, with the age of it being no more then 5-6 years old.

I'll worry about the re-assembly once I get it removed. Sounds like tomorrow is going to be a long day. haha

Thanks again for the help!!!

nickels · Apr 15, 2006, 02:10 PM

Well it is done...

It took about 3 hard-workin hours to remove the pool. Guess what, the seller was a bit off on the specs. It was really a 24' round pool, not 18 feet. Sweet mistake! The only pool pieces that didn't make it were the bottom curved rail sections that appear to help keep the shape of the sidewall. Hopefully I can find them somewhere, which I am pretty sure shouldn't be a huge problem. If anyone knows where to find them please let me know.

It is going to be a major feat getting this pool installed in time to use it this year.

fredg · Apr 16, 2006, 05:07 AM

HI,
I want to be invited, too!
You might have to buy new "wall" for it; don't know where you could find it. Might try searching Google online, if you don't mind ordering something online.
That's where I got my last pool cover.....very good buy!
Also, if it has a sand filter, might have to buy some new, clean sand.
Best of luck.

nickels · Apr 17, 2006, 06:18 AM

The "wall" is fine, it is coiled up (and upright) in my garage right now. The bottom track is 90% trashed. I need to find the curved 3 foot sections that go together to make up the bottom rail which holds the wall in place. I tried google with no luck... next stop - pool stores.

The owner had no manuals, so I have to find all the info online. I assume the filter manual shouldn't be too hard to locate. The sand filter weighs about 100 awkward pounds. It was really fun moving it!

Believe me, if I get this installed I will party it up. Right now that seems like a lifetime of work away.....

fredg · Apr 17, 2006, 06:55 AM

HI,
OK, I now understand about the bottom rail track, holding the wall in place.
I am sorry, but really don't know where to find this. Hopefully, as you suggested, a Pool supply place might have some, along with searching online.

nickels · Apr 18, 2006, 06:34 AM

Does anyone know what "MB" (I think thats the logo) could stand for? That is embossed on the top Rail covers. It's the only clue that I have to find out what type of pool I have.

hmmm - google search came up with Wil-Bar. I hope thats it!

fredg · Apr 18, 2006, 07:17 AM

HI,
No, don't know what MB is.
But, here is a site:
http://www.bestbuypoolsupply.com/abo...-shopping.html
I ordered a pool cover from the above link last year, for around $50. It is a good one, and is good quality. Received it in only about 3 days from the site.
They also have a toll free number, and might be able to help with the rails.



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